John Stones scored a last-gasp header, which was subject to a dramatic VAR call, to earn Manchester City a 2-1 win at Wolves.
City looked like failing to capitalise on Arsenal’s slip-up at Bournemouth as they were being held after Jorgen Strand Larsen’s early opener for the dogged hosts was cancelled out by Josko Gvardiol.
But Stones climbed highest in the fourth minute of added time to power home Phil Foden’s corner and spark wild scenes of celebration.
They were cut short after Bernardo Silva was eventually flagged for offside as he stood in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa, much to the delight of the Molineux crowd.
#WOLMCI – 95’ VAR OVERTURN
Stones’ goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision. The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field… pic.twitter.com/4o1AHBWyzb
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) October 20, 2024
However, after referee Chris Kavanagh checked the pitchside monitor he ruled that a backtracking Silva was not interfering with play and the goal stood.
It was a get out of jail free card for City, who were well below their best, but they moved three points clear of the Gunners.
For Wolves it was heartbreak and not what they deserved after a good performance, but they have claimed just one point from the opening eight games.
Boss Gary O’Neil has always said there has been context behind their poor start, however he knows results have to arrive soon.
The hosts could not have dreamed for a better start as they went ahead in the seventh minute.
After beating the City press, Nelson Semedo was set free down the right and his excellent cross bisected Ederson and the City defence, allowing Strand Larsen to slide into an empty net at the far post.
O’Neil stood motionless on the touchline, perhaps knowing the game was still in the very early stages.
Indeed, seconds after the restart, City almost equalised as Silva set a low curling effort that was destined for the far post until Sa got across to keep it out with a fine save.
City were pushing for an equaliser, but that left them exposed and another lightning quick break should have seen Wolves double their lead in the 19th minute.
Joao Gomes sent Semedo through on goal, but the Portuguese’s touch was heavy at the vital moment, allowing Ederson to come out and block his shot.
Wolves really needed that to go in as City equalised in the 33rd minute.
Gvardiol received the ball on the corner of the penalty area and sent a 20-yard dipping shot into the top corner.
They almost went into half-time in front but Sa produced another outstanding low save to keep out Savinho’s effort.
The recalled goalkeeper, in for the injured Sam Johnstone, was again called into action early in the second half to keep out Ruben Dias’ shot from distance.
But for all their possession, Pep Guardiola’s side were struggling to break down a well organised and compact Wolves defence, with the introduction of Foden and Jack Grealish making little difference.
The match seemed destined to finish a draw until a corner in the fifth minute of added time which Stones headed home, with the goal eventually standing after Kavanagh had made his ruling.
Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged no one at Nottingham Forest expected to be third in April but backed his team to embrace the challenge after they started a huge week with victory at Tottenham.Forest had slipped to sixth in the Premier League after weekend wins for Champions League qualification rivals Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa, yet responded with aplomb in the capital.Early efforts...
Chris Wood’s 19th goal of the season fired Nottingham Forest back up to third in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Tottenham.Forest had slipped to sixth after the weekend’s results, but Nuno Espirito Santo savoured a sweet three points against old club Spurs after early goals from Elliot Anderson and Wood in the capital.It brought Ange Postecoglou’s team back down to earth aft...
Leeds boss Daniel Farke saluted his players for holding their nerve after a 6-0 home win against Stoke helped seal promotion back to the Premier League.Joel Piroe scored four goals, including Leeds’ fastest-ever league hat-trick, with strikes in the sixth, eighth and 20th minutes and added his fourth before half-time after Junior Firpo had put Farke’s side 4-0 up in 26 minutes.Willy Gn...
Burnley captain Josh Brownhill sent the Clarets back into the Premier League with both goals in a 2-1 win over Sheffield United that also saw Leeds promoted and left the Blades relying on the play-offs.Scott Parker made it three promotions with three different clubs in the space of six seasons as Burnley extended their unbeaten league run to a club-record 31 games, bouncing straight back to the Pr...
Burnley captain Josh Brownhill joked the Clarets had “bored our way to the Premier League” after a 2-1 win at home to Sheffield United confirmed their return to the top flight at the first attempt.Scott Parker’s side have conceded just 15 goals in 44 matches and victory over their promotion rivals ensured they could not be caught with two matches remaining.“I’m speech...
West Brom have announced the departure of Tony Mowbray after the club’s play-off hopes were all-but ended by a 3-1 Championship defeat at home to relegation-threatened Derby.The visitors twice punished the Baggies from set-piece situations when Ebou Adams and Jerry Yates struck from corners in the first half.Adam Armstrong’s goal halved the deficit and made for a nervy final 20 minutes...
Ian Holloway emphasised his pride in his resurgent Swindon side, despite Will Wright’s own goal against Bromley ending their slim play-off hopes.Danny Imray nutmegged Tom Nichols on the byline and fired a low ball into the box which bounced off the hapless defender’s shin in the 88th minute, condemning the Robins to a 1-0 loss.Kabongo Tshimanga had earlier missed a first-half penalty f...
Grant McCann admitted the task ahead for him is to keep his players calm after Doncaster put themselves within touching distance of promotion with a 3-0 win over Colchester.Goals from Harry Clifton, Jordan Gibson and Patrick Kelly saw Rovers power into top spot in League Two.It means a victory over promotion rivals Bradford this weekend will see them promoted to League One but McCann is determined...
Leeds boss Daniel Farke saluted four-goal Joel Piroe after his side thrashed Stoke 6-0 at Elland Road to stand on the brink of Premier League promotion.Piroe fired Leeds’ fastest-ever league hat-trick with strikes in the sixth, eighth and 20th minutes and added his fourth before half-time after Junior Firpo had put Farke’s side 4-0 up in 26 minutes.Willy Gnonto headed Leeds’ sixt...
Tony Mowbray felt West Brom “lacked a bit of courage on the ball” as their play-off hopes were all-but ended by a 3-1 home defeat to relegation-threatened Derby.The visitors twice punished the Baggies from set-piece situations when Ebou Adams and Jerry Yates struck from corners in the first half.Adam Armstrong’s goal halved the deficit and made for a nervy final 20 minutes until ...
- 1 Jordan Bowery earns Mansfield a point at Rotherham
- 2 Arteta makes exciting Arsenal transfer claim
- 3 Grant McCann to keep Doncaster players calm despite being on brink of promotion
- 4 Four Tottenham stars could leave this summer
- 5 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 6 PL side eyeing summer move for Rashford
- 7 Mentality and spirit unbelievable – Daniel Farke praises promoted Leeds players
- 8 Newcastle continue to impress in absence of Eddie Howe with Crystal Palace rout
- 9 Man City in pole position to secure Morgan Gibbs
- 10 Liverpool interested in signing Mason Greenwood